What are some things that are generally associated with bygone eras that amazingly, have survived to the present day? One of them, mentioned here was the Hudson's Bay Company. Founded in 1670 and associated with colonial times, the 'Bay' as it's called still exists and is still one of Canada's largest corporations.

Another would be the fact that many monarchies still exist, including the British monarchy. This is of course, common knowledge.

Only slightly less amazing is that fact the Chuck Berry still performs music.

Oh yeah and did you know the Silk Road still exists?

The Silk Road still runs?  Now that is very interesting  :)

The Catholic Church

The Silk Road still runs?  Now that is very interesting  :)

Interestingly enough, I had not heard of it. Apparently it's a historical series of trade routes in the Eastern Hemisphere.

The Silk Road still runs?  Now that is very interesting  :)


Heh.  He made me look.  I knew about the original, but was surprised to find that the over-land version of the old Asian trade route wasn't actually completed until 1990.  (If he was referring to the modern use of the term, that's a different sort of trade route.)

The Catholic Church


beat me to it.

beat me to it.


Although it's no surprise. 


I would say the old-style weights and measure systems have surprising staying power.  I would have thought the U.S.A would have gone metric by 2012.
::)

Heh.  He made me look.  I knew about the original, but was surprised to find that the over-land version of the old Asian trade route wasn't actually completed until 1990.  (If he was referring to the modern use of the term, that's a different sort of trade route.)


Yes, the Sino-Soviet split, is the reason for that. In September 1990 they finally opened the train route, but only in the past couple years have they really started greatly expanding the land link.

Yes, the Sino-Soviet split, is the reason for that. In September 1990 they finally opened the train route, but only in the past couple years have they really started greatly expanding the land link.


Still goes straight up the old Khyber Pass.

Society of the Cincinnati

The Society of the Cincinnati is an historical, hereditary lineage organization with branches in the United States and France, founded in 1783 to preserve the ideals and fellowship of the American Revolutionary War officers.

Membership was generally limited to officers who had served at least three years in the Continental Army or Navy; it included officers of the French Army and Navy above certain ranks.

Later in a system of primogeniture, membership was passed down to the eldest son after the death of the original member.

Freemasonry. 

Goes back at least as far as the early seventeenth century, with many of our Founding Fathers as members.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry

Livery Companies (which are trade associations in the City of London) go back a few years - almost as long as London has been around...

Today, they operate mostly in name only as charitable foundations (mostly seen at the Lord Mayor's show). You'd be hard pressed to find many cordwainers, basketmakers, or wheelwrights in the square mile today!

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Madonna yet. 

http://www.catholicleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/madonna1.jpg